What is crowdfunding?
The practice of funding a project or venture by collecting [typically small]
monetary contributions from a large number of people via
the Internet, and most often via a rewards-based system.
“Crowdfunding” coined in 2005 by Michael Sullivan
First crowdfunded campaign in 1997: fans raised funds for British band
Marillion to go on tour
Fun facts:

Crowdfunding (cont.):
In 2013, the crowdfunding industry brought in
over $5.1 billion worldwide
2012: Over 450 crowdfunding platforms in existence—but
only a few widely trusted
Can be used for: arts-based projects, programs,
conference attendance, trainings, and pretty much
anything you can think of (including ongoing support)!

No eligibility criteria, just don’t violate TOS
(no violence, discrimintation, or sexually explicit content)
No application process
Option of flexible or fixed funding:
if you choose flexible, you keep the funds raised,
but pay a higher fee;
if you choose fixed, it’s all or nothing
Fees between 3-14%
25% discount on fees for 501(c)(3) orgs
Rewards-based program for funders
Indiegogo Playbook: guidelines for campaigning and contributing
http://go.indiegogo.com/playbook

No eligibility criteria—mainly used for personal fundraising,
including medical expenses, education costs, volunteer
programs, events, funerals, memorials
Can be used to raise money for nonprofits
Option for All-or-Nothing (fixed funding) campaign
Not time limited, like other crowdfunding platforms
Fees 6.75-9.25% — charity funding has highest fee
Want more information on how it works?
http://gofundme.com/tour

Eligibility criteria: Product-based projects with clear end goals—
a book, a record, a prototype for a tech gadget, a game
No charity fundraising
Application process = quality control
Rewards-based program
Fees between 8-10%
Time-limited—90 days max
Creator Handbook:
http://www.kickstarter.com/help/handbook

Before:
Research, research, research!
Creator Handbook:
http://www.kickstarter.com/help/handbook
Look at successful projects similar to the one you’re planning on
creating. See what kind of funding they shot for and what they
ended up with.

Rewards:
Make your minimum tier $1.
The $25 reward tier is the most popular—make this one GOOD.
You can “stack” rewards or create unique groupings to give your
backers more choices.
Always include a huge, over the top reward. You never know what
might happen.

Before:
Research, research, research!
Kickstarter School: http://kickstarter.com/help/school
Look at successful projects similar to the one you’re planning on creating.
See what kind of funding they shot for and what they ended up with.
Start out with the minimum you’ll need to get the project off the ground,
then what your utmost ideal would be. Aim for the middle.

kicktraq.com
Kicktraq is a Kickstarter campaign analytics tool
that allows you to follow the progress of specific
campaigns, including projections while a campaign
is live, and to research finished campaigns.

During:
Launch day is a BIG DAY. Get excited. Pump people up.
Thank everyone.
Social media is still your friend, even if you hate it.
Be seen. Plan a fundraising event.
Daily goals help keep momentum.
Clear your schedule. Treat it like a job.

After:
Pat yourself on the back for a job well done (yes, even if your
campaign isn’t successful—you will have learned a lot).
Take a nap.
Thank everybody.
Look at your budget again.
Produce and ship rewards as quickly as humanly possible!